FL - Abdul-Majeed M. A. Alani - Accused of Sabotage - Miami - 17 July 2019

[Richrd]

.

- Miami, Florida -
- Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani -
- Accused of Attempted Airline Sabotage -
- 17 July 2019 -

1)) Fox News:
American Airlines mechanic accused of attempted sabotage of flight with 150 on board

2)) Google™ Supplements & Updates:
American Airlines Mechanic Sabotage - Google Search

3)) Heavy dot Com:
https://heavy.com/news/2019/09/abdul-majeed-marouf-ahmed-alani/
(Includes Eleven Page Criminal Complaint)
[Incident Number 19 - 3419730]

4)) Pitot [PEE' toe] Tube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbBDMQ7fHS4
(Blocking the Entrance can Prevent Proper Readings)​

[Contribution # 6767
Thread # 472052]
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[Kubirai]

The piece of foam was partially blocking air tubes that come from the nose angle sensor. So if the pilots didn't notice the errors and took off, there could have been a crash like the 737 Max.

I don't buy his excuse that he only wanted to delay the flight, to get overtime pay.

 

[katydid23]

The piece of foam was partially blocking air tubes that come from the nose angle sensor. So if the pilots didn't notice the errors and took off, there could have been a crash like the 737 Max.

I don't buy his excuse that he only wanted to delay the flight, to get overtime pay.

I don't buy that excuse either. One article said his motive was anger with 'contract negotiations.'

I highly doubt that was his motive in trying to bring down an airliner.

 

[dotr]

This goes well beyond irresponsible and into evil territory, imo.
American Airlines mechanic sabotaged flight so he could get overtime work, feds say

Sketch courtesy of Daniel Pontet
Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani appears in federal court Friday in Miami.

"Further inspection revealed the ADM appeared to have been deliberately obstructed with what appeared to be a dark Styrofoam-type material," Jose Ruiz, a senior federal air marshal with the Transportation Security Administration, wrote in the affidavit.

Upon reviewing surveillance video footage, Ruiz wrote, a man could be seen driving up next to the plane in a white pickup truck, getting out and accessing the compartment where the plane's ADM is located. The man, later identified as Alani, spent about seven minutes fidgeting with equipment in the compartment before he returned to his truck and drove away, Ruiz wrote.

 

[katydid23]

The piece of foam was partially blocking air tubes that come from the nose angle sensor. So if the pilots didn't notice the errors and took off, there could have been a crash like the 737 Max.

I don't buy his excuse that he only wanted to delay the flight, to get overtime pay.

I don't buy that excuse either. One article said his motive was anger with 'contract negotiations.'

I highly doubt that was his motive in trying to bring down an airliner.


American Airlines mechanic accused of attempted sabotage of flight with 150 on board

"The court documents say Alani told investigators that he was upset over a contract dispute between union workers and the airlines, and the dispute had cost him money.

Alani allegedly explained that he tampered with the aircraft so he could get overtime working on the plane."

 

[katydid23]

This goes well beyond irresponsible and into evil territory, imo.
American Airlines mechanic sabotaged flight so he could get overtime work, feds say

Sketch courtesy of Daniel Pontet
Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani appears in federal court Friday in Miami.

"Further inspection revealed the ADM appeared to have been deliberately obstructed with what appeared to be a dark Styrofoam-type material," Jose Ruiz, a senior federal air marshal with the Transportation Security Administration, wrote in the affidavit.

Upon reviewing surveillance video footage, Ruiz wrote, a man could be seen driving up next to the plane in a white pickup truck, getting out and accessing the compartment where the plane's ADM is located. The man, later identified as Alani, spent about seven minutes fidgeting with equipment in the compartment before he returned to his truck and drove away, Ruiz wrote.

He had to know that the piece of styrofoam would be noticed, if they checked the plane before takeoff. And obviously, that would be seen as a serious crime and they would investigate it.

But I doubt it would have still been there if it crashed. Seems that was his real intent. JMO

 

[Kubirai]

I read through the FBI affidavit and other public information.

Alani has been working at AA since 1988, so he would have been a senior member of the AA mechanics union. There was indeed a contract dispute and it is still not resolved.

Alani used black (anti-static) foam and super glue to keep it firmly in place. He kept the pitot tube loose. He checked that the system shows an error.

Based on those steps, and his immediate confession, it is possible that he actually didn't want the aircraft to take off, which it didn't.

However, he obviously committed a very serious crime, and he appears to be a Muslim. This will probably get him the maximum sentence of 20 years, and no pension after 30 years service.

All for a overtime because of a grudge? He isn't insane, but there isn't any possible defence for his malicious action.

 

[Kubirai]

dbm ... duplicate.

 

[SuziQ]

Terrorism suspected

AA mechanic, 60, who 'sabotaged a Florida jetliner' is denied bail after ISIS ties revealed | Daily Mail Online

 

[katydid23]

Terrorism suspected

AA mechanic, 60, who 'sabotaged a Florida jetliner' is denied bail after ISIS ties revealed | Daily Mail Online

Not surprised at all. His original explanation made no sense at all. JMO

 

[dotr]

Mechanic accused of airliner sabotage had ISIS videos on his phone: prosecutors
"The new evidence presented by prosecutors includes that Alani has a brother in Iraq who may be involved with the Islamic State extremist group as well as statements Alani made about wishing Allah would use “divine powers” to harm non-Muslims.

Alani, 60, also recently sent a $700 wire transfer to someone in Iraq - where he has extended family - and had videos on his cellphone depicting Islamic State mass murders he shared with others, prosecutors said. In addition, the new evidence shows Alani travelled to Iraq in March but did not disclose that to authorities after his arrest.

“You may be very sympathetic to terrorists,” Judge McAliley told Alani at the hearing. “That's very disconcerting.”

Alani is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Iraq who has worked as an airline mechanic for 30 years, with no prior criminal record. He's not charged with a terror-related crime, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Medetis said the potential links to the Islamic State give rise to the possibility his actions had a darker purpose.

Alani told agents after his arrest earlier this month that, “Out of my evil side, I wanted to do something,” Medetis said, adding that the statement was recorded by the FBI."

 

[LadyL]

only 20 years? hopefully he dies in prison

 

[Kubirai]

Mechanic accused of airliner sabotage had ISIS videos on his phone: prosecutors
...
“You may be very sympathetic to terrorists,” Judge McAliley told Alani at the hearing. “That's very disconcerting.”

The prosecutors are probably going for a terrorism charge and maximum possible sentence. The judge may have compromised the trial before factual evidence is presented.

Alani is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Iraq who has worked as an airline mechanic for 30 years, with no prior criminal record.
...
Alani told agents after his arrest earlier this month that, “Out of my evil side, I wanted to do something,” Medetis said, adding that the statement was recorded by the FBI."

My hunch is that he may indeed have mental health issues.

 

[katydid23]

The prosecutors are probably going for a terrorism charge and maximum possible sentence. The judge may have compromised the trial before factual evidence is presented.



My hunch is that he may indeed have mental health issues.

If so, it's pretty scary that we have someone with that serious of mental health issues, working on our airliners.

I tend to think it is more likely that he has been radicalised and considers himself a Jihadi Warrior. That makes more sense to me, as he was able to keep his high profile job as a airline mechanic, without being noticed as mentally ill. That is something that is hard to hide. JMO

 

[katydid23]

The prosecutors are probably going for a terrorism charge and maximum possible sentence. The judge may have compromised the trial before factual evidence is presented.



My hunch is that he may indeed have mental health issues.

As to the bolded statement above, I am not sure what that means. Didn't the prosecution offer factual evidence to the judge already, at the hearing, in order to bring the charges?

How would the trial be compromised by the judge commenting upon the evidence that was just brought before him?

 

[Elley Mae]

Prosecutors unveiled evidence earlier this week indicating that Alani, an Iraqi-American, may be sympathetic to terrorist groups such as the Islamic State. Alani purportedly told co-workers his brother is a member of the extremist group, and the FBI reported finding violent Islamic State videos on his cellphone.

Mechanic due to enter plea in airliner sabotage case

.....

Airport surveillance video showed Alani working on the aircraft’s nose compartment for seven minutes, even though there was no repair issue with the plane. He was later identified by co-workers from that video.

Amid terrorism talk, bail denied in aircraft sabotage case | WTOP

....

Prosecutors also said Alani allowed the FBI to search his smartphone and agents found a “disturbing” ISIS video in which a person was being shot in the head, and that he sent the video to someone with an Arabic message asking “Allah” to take revenge against non-Muslims. In addition, they said Alani sent $700 to someone in Iraq, where he was born and has family.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article235199172.html

.....

Take revenge against non muslims? Yeah I’d call that terrorism.

 

[Kubirai]

How would the trial be compromised by the judge commenting upon the evidence that was just brought before him?

The guy gave his phone to LE willingly and explained his reasons for the sabotage. I wrote earlier how he even made sure the pilots would immediately see the problem he created, which they did.

If his extended family is in Iraq, sending $700 is not unusual. Such remittance sustains the economies of war-torn countries. Factual evidence should identify the other party, and relationship.

His brother's identity and exact group he may have joined, should be mentioned, with help from Iraq. There are dozens of groups fighting each other.

If the video shows ISIS killing someone, revenge against "kafirs" may not mean christians. These groups call each other kafirs.

Anyway, I am just pointing out that prosecutors can manipulate preliminary evidence. The judge should not make prejudicial statements that will allow an easy appeal later.

 

[katydid23]

The guy gave his phone to LE willingly and explained his reasons for the sabotage. I wrote earlier how he even made sure the pilots would immediately see the problem he created, which they did.

If his extended family is in Iraq, sending $700 is not unusual. Such remittance sustains the economies of war-torn countries. Factual evidence should identify the other party, and relationship.

His brother's identity and exact group he may have joined, should be mentioned, with help from Iraq. There are dozens of groups fighting each other.

If the video shows ISIS killing someone, revenge against "kafirs" may not mean christians. These groups call each other kafirs.

Anyway, I am just pointing out that prosecutors can manipulate preliminary evidence. The judge should not make prejudicial statements that will allow an easy appeal later.

His plan for the sabotage to be seen before takeoff was not foolproof. Luckily there was an alert seen, and they decided to stop the takeoff. But that was an iffy thing. Especially since hundreds of lives depended upon it.

What about his comments about beheadings and his video of ISIS violence? Does it matter if it was against Christians or not?

I don't think there will be many easy appeals, if he did in fact sabotage an airliner, no matter what his 'reasoning' was. JMO

 

[Kubirai]

His plan for the sabotage to be seen before takeoff was not foolproof. Luckily there was an alert seen, and they decided to stop the takeoff. But that was an iffy thing. Especially since hundreds of lives depended upon it.

What about his comments about beheadings and his video of ISIS violence? Does it matter if it was against Christians or not?

I don't think there will be many easy appeals, if he did in fact sabotage an airliner, no matter what his 'reasoning' was. JMO

He confirmed that the error is seen, according to the original affidavit. His lawyer will highlight that, along with his stated reasons, his mental state, co-operation after arrest, and ask for a reasonable sentence.

The prosecutors will try to escalate it to an ISIS inspired terror plot, and go for maximum sentence. If they over-reach, using questionable or misinterpreted evidence, the guy could end up with a shorter sentence.

 

[katydid23]

He confirmed that the error is seen, according to the original affidavit. His lawyer will highlight that, along with his stated reasons, his mental state, co-operation after arrest, and ask for a reasonable sentence.

The prosecutors will try to escalate it to an ISIS inspired terror plot, and go for maximum sentence. If they over-reach, using questionable or misinterpreted evidence, the guy could end up with a shorter sentence.

He says that he knew the error would be seen. Pretty convenient defense for him. 'Yes, your Honor, I sabotaged the engine to the extent that it would have crashed and burned if it took off. But don't worry, someone will catch the alert, no problem. '

I don't think that is a very strong defense. That is like saying, 'yes, I added rat poison to the party punch, but it tastes so bad, no one will probably drink it at the prom.'

And his confessed motive makes no sense at all. He is going to get overtime if that plane gets grounded? How does he know that?

And he is willing to bank his entire career and his freedom and his reputation, upon that? Not counting the fact that he did the sabotage in front of witnesses.

That^^^ story seems entirely bogus, in my opinion. It seems manufactured, so he could do just as you described. Pretend it was just a simple case of poor judgement, for financial gain, nothing more.

I don't believe it.

I don't see it as anything other than an ISIS inspired terror plot. But he is also a cautious engineer type---so he had a back up story---which you have explained so well.

I don't really see how the prosecution can 'overreach' in the case of an airline mechanic that purposely sabotages an airliner with a piece of styrofoam. There is NO EXCUSE for that. None.

ESPECIALLY for a Muslim man, to do to an American airliner. How would we not 'overreact' to a situation like this? How would we not assume it was more than a contract dispute ?

I don't see this guy getting a shorter sentence because I don't think the jury will believe that it was all about a labor dispute. JMO